News & Events  

New council structure
Maidstone Borough Council has reorganised its staff structure under two directorates confirming a previously announced cut in its wages bill of more than £220,000 a year.

Maidstone’s new Chief Executive, Alison Broom, says the streamlined structure will put the council in the best position to respond to the challenges ahead. “It focuses the council in two areas, on improving Maidstone as a place to live and on improving our services to people”; she said.

The new structure follows on from the retirement of the former chief executive, David Petford, and realises a planned downsizing from three to two directors and reductions in support staff.

A new Directorate of Change, Planning and the Environment, led by David Edwards, includes environmental services, parks and leisure, legal and other services which improve Maidstone Borough as a place to live.

A new Directorate of Regeneration and Communities, led by Zena Cooke, includes economic development, housing, community safety, cultural and other services which directly contribute to improving people’s lives.

The Chief Executive will be supported by a few specialist teams reporting directly to her including, audit and human resources.

Alison Broom is looking forward to working with the council’s partners and Maidstone people to improve prosperity in the borough.

Although officially she did not start her new job until Tuesday June 8, she had already spent a day listening to customers, staff and councillors to find out first hand about people’s experiences in calling the council and visiting the Gateway.

Mrs Broom said: “Value for money and superb customer care are two of the council’s core values. With the new structure and by listening to people we will continue to strive to deliver superb customer care and excellence in the services that matter most to our residents and businesses”.

 
   
Maidstone air quality survey
Maidstone Borough Council needs you to comment on its air quality action plan to help shape the borough’s future.

Cabinet Member for the Environment, Cllr Ben Sherreard, said: “The quality of our air affects everyone, ourselves, our children and their future. It is important that we think about our actions and the impact they have upon the environment. Using our car a little less, car sharing, using public transport and staggering our journeys can help improve the air we breathe enormously.”

The Maidstone town urban area, plus a section of the M20 motorway has been declared an Air Quality Management Area.

This means the quality of the air in some parts of this area does not reach the recommended government targets; the major pollutant being exhaust fumes from lorries, buses, vans and cars.

To improve air quality in this area Maidstone council has devised an Air Quality Action Plan and it wants to know what you think.

The aim of the plan is to raise awareness generally of air quality issues; promote walking and cycling; encourage people to make more use of public transport; support local business’ to reduce their transport emissions through travel planning and generally reduce traffic to tackle congestion issues.

You can help by filling in our survey form at maidstone.gov.uk and telling us what you think about the council’s plans and what actions are most important to you; telling the council about any further actions it could take; working together to make a difference to air quality; and trying to make small changes to your lifestyle to reduce car use.

The closing date for giving your opinions is Friday, September 3, 2010.

If you would like more information or to volunteer to help spread the word about improving air quality, please give your contact details on the survey form or email pollution@maidstone.gov.uk